What to Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident in Florida
A slip and fall accident can happen without warning—on a wet floor at a grocery store, an uneven sidewalk, or a poorly maintained stairwell. In many cases, these incidents result in serious injuries, including fractures, head trauma, or spinal damage. What you do in the minutes, hours, and days that follow can have a significant impact on your health, your financial recovery, and your ability to pursue a legal claim under Florida law.
At Aronberg & Aronberg, Injury Law Firm, we have decades of experience guiding injured clients through the legal aftermath of slip and fall accidents. Below is a clear, step-by-step guide on what to do if you experience one.
Your health should always be the first priority. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it is essential to be evaluated by a medical professional. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal trauma, may not present symptoms right away. Prompt medical attention also creates a record of your condition, which can later support your claim.
Make sure to attend all follow-up appointments and follow the medical advice provided. Insurance companies and opposing counsel may attempt to undermine your claim if they can argue you failed to mitigate your injuries.
As soon as it is safe to do so, report the accident to the property owner, manager, or appropriate authority. If the fall occurs in a store, restaurant, or public building, request that a formal incident report be completed and ask for a copy. If the accident takes place on private residential property, document the communication you have with the homeowner or landlord.
Do not speculate about the cause of the fall or make statements suggesting fault. Keep your communication factual and limited.
If possible, take photographs of the area where the fall occurred. Capture the exact condition of the floor, ground, or surface—whether it was wet, uneven, cracked, poorly lit, or cluttered. If there were no warning signs posted, photograph that as well. Try to do this before the property owner has a chance to clean up or alter the area.
Also photograph your clothing and shoes, especially if they were damaged or stained in the fall. If there were witnesses, ask for their names and contact information. Their statements could be valuable later in corroborating your version of events.
Preserve any physical evidence, such as shoes or clothing, and do not attempt to repair or discard them. They may later be examined for slip resistance or material integrity.
After a fall, property owners or their insurance companies may contact you with requests for recorded statements or offers to settle. Politely decline. You are not required to speak with them without legal representation, and doing so could jeopardize your claim.
Do not post about the accident on social media. Comments, photos, or updates—even seemingly harmless ones—can be taken out of context and used to dispute your account.
Florida law does not require you to have legal representation to file a claim—but it is strongly advised. Property owners and insurance carriers are well-resourced and will often look for ways to minimize or deny liability.
An experienced attorney can gather evidence, consult with experts, calculate damages, and manage communication with insurers. At Aronberg & Aronberg, Injury Law Firm, we handle slip and fall cases throughout Florida and understand the nuances of premises liability law in this state.
It is also important to note that as of the 2023 legislative changes, Florida now has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. Delay could result in forfeiting your right to seek compensation.
A slip and fall accident can lead to mounting medical bills, lost income, and lasting pain. Taking the right steps immediately after the incident will protect both your health and your legal options.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall, contact Aronberg & Aronberg, Injury Law Firm for a consultation. We are committed to protecting the rights of injury victims across Florida with experience, integrity, and focus.
